In this extract, Malcolm discusses the qualities of a king. Explore how Shakespeare presents ideas
about being a king in the play
Shakespeare’s ideas about kingship are expressed all throughout the play, as the play was written as
a tribute to King James I. King James was a firm believer in divine right of kings, and that they
themselves were representatives of God on earth – Shakespeare effectively communicates this with
literary methods including similes and extended metaphors. He also shows the character and
attributes that are needed to be a good king. The audience learn more about the importance of
natural order and character, watching the various kings, their actions, and influences. The rightful
heirs on the throne - Duncan and Malcolm - illustrate the loyalty, bravery and just character needed
for a good king and stable country. However, Macbeth’s reign depicts how breaking the natural
order and ruling through tyranny causes instability for a country. All people shared similar beliefs to
James I, that kings were appointed through divine right and had to rule with devotion and justice.
The play opens with Duncan as king. From then onwards, he is presented as the noble, perfect,
impartial king of Scotland. Shakespeare portrays Duncan as an example to others, he has many good
qualities one of which is his love for his country and followers. Evident when Duncan speaks with the
semantic field of agriculture: “I have begun to plant thee.” Shakespeare successfully uses nature
imagery to illustrate Duncan’s gentle fatherly image, caring for and nurturing his people. He is
compassionate to all, making him a kind-hearted king. Whether that is a good attribute for a king is
debatable but alternatively the use of nature imagery reinforces the idea of natural order and
Duncan’s rightful location in it. It highlights the normality and harmony that is experienced during
Duncan’s rule. In the Middle Ages, religious people held the idea of “the great chain of being,” which
was where God designed an ordered system for both nature and humanity within which every
creature had its place. It was considered an offence to God for anyone to alter it. Since royalty was
bestowed by God, it was sinful to aspire to it. This doctrine – a convenient one to King James – was
significant in Shakespeare’s time. Here, Banquo is receiving the king’s faith as a reward for his
victorious return from battle. Thus, Duncan ensures the good are rewarded and the bad are
punished as part of his moral nature, making him a well-respected leader for Scotland. The writer
intended to describe Duncan as a benevolent figure like God – agreeing to the natural order – for
audiences but also pleasing James I.
Although Duncan was a virtuous and benevolent king, his inability to judge people well is his greatest
weakness and it eventually leads to his downfall. Duncan trusted Macbeth greatly and described him
as “a gentlemen on whom I built an absolute trust.” Dramatic irony is used hence Duncan’s trusting
of Macbeth leads to his own sudden death, almost foreshadowing a second betrayal. The first Thane
of Cawdor deceived Duncan, acting with fake faith, whilst Duncan had no idea about his inner
treacherous thoughts; leaving him completely defenceless. So, it is ironic that he does not know
about Macbeth’s treacherous thoughts. What has happened once to him is doomed to happen
again. This implies that Duncan does not learn from his mistakes and continues to be too trusting in
those around him. The determiner “absolute” emphasises the extent of his trust in Macbeth, making
it visible to audiences that Duncan is naïve, and a fool being taken advantage of. Shakespeare makes
a mockery out of Duncan’s generosity, portraying him as single-minded, assuming others are just as
kind and reasonable as him. Therefore, Shakespeare presents King Duncan as so good hearted of a
king that it makes him weak and vulnerable to deceit – attributes not so desirable especially for a
ruler – not to mention his immaturity.
Moreover, it is clear that Duncan was influential in the eyes of Scotland’s people hence Macduff
reacted dramatically at the sight of his corpse, shrieking “O horror, horror, horror.” Shakespeare
uses repetition to place emphasis on the deep emotion that evokes in Macduff when seeing his
gracious king in his most frail state. This indicates the grave loyalty shared by all of his people and
about being a king in the play
Shakespeare’s ideas about kingship are expressed all throughout the play, as the play was written as
a tribute to King James I. King James was a firm believer in divine right of kings, and that they
themselves were representatives of God on earth – Shakespeare effectively communicates this with
literary methods including similes and extended metaphors. He also shows the character and
attributes that are needed to be a good king. The audience learn more about the importance of
natural order and character, watching the various kings, their actions, and influences. The rightful
heirs on the throne - Duncan and Malcolm - illustrate the loyalty, bravery and just character needed
for a good king and stable country. However, Macbeth’s reign depicts how breaking the natural
order and ruling through tyranny causes instability for a country. All people shared similar beliefs to
James I, that kings were appointed through divine right and had to rule with devotion and justice.
The play opens with Duncan as king. From then onwards, he is presented as the noble, perfect,
impartial king of Scotland. Shakespeare portrays Duncan as an example to others, he has many good
qualities one of which is his love for his country and followers. Evident when Duncan speaks with the
semantic field of agriculture: “I have begun to plant thee.” Shakespeare successfully uses nature
imagery to illustrate Duncan’s gentle fatherly image, caring for and nurturing his people. He is
compassionate to all, making him a kind-hearted king. Whether that is a good attribute for a king is
debatable but alternatively the use of nature imagery reinforces the idea of natural order and
Duncan’s rightful location in it. It highlights the normality and harmony that is experienced during
Duncan’s rule. In the Middle Ages, religious people held the idea of “the great chain of being,” which
was where God designed an ordered system for both nature and humanity within which every
creature had its place. It was considered an offence to God for anyone to alter it. Since royalty was
bestowed by God, it was sinful to aspire to it. This doctrine – a convenient one to King James – was
significant in Shakespeare’s time. Here, Banquo is receiving the king’s faith as a reward for his
victorious return from battle. Thus, Duncan ensures the good are rewarded and the bad are
punished as part of his moral nature, making him a well-respected leader for Scotland. The writer
intended to describe Duncan as a benevolent figure like God – agreeing to the natural order – for
audiences but also pleasing James I.
Although Duncan was a virtuous and benevolent king, his inability to judge people well is his greatest
weakness and it eventually leads to his downfall. Duncan trusted Macbeth greatly and described him
as “a gentlemen on whom I built an absolute trust.” Dramatic irony is used hence Duncan’s trusting
of Macbeth leads to his own sudden death, almost foreshadowing a second betrayal. The first Thane
of Cawdor deceived Duncan, acting with fake faith, whilst Duncan had no idea about his inner
treacherous thoughts; leaving him completely defenceless. So, it is ironic that he does not know
about Macbeth’s treacherous thoughts. What has happened once to him is doomed to happen
again. This implies that Duncan does not learn from his mistakes and continues to be too trusting in
those around him. The determiner “absolute” emphasises the extent of his trust in Macbeth, making
it visible to audiences that Duncan is naïve, and a fool being taken advantage of. Shakespeare makes
a mockery out of Duncan’s generosity, portraying him as single-minded, assuming others are just as
kind and reasonable as him. Therefore, Shakespeare presents King Duncan as so good hearted of a
king that it makes him weak and vulnerable to deceit – attributes not so desirable especially for a
ruler – not to mention his immaturity.
Moreover, it is clear that Duncan was influential in the eyes of Scotland’s people hence Macduff
reacted dramatically at the sight of his corpse, shrieking “O horror, horror, horror.” Shakespeare
uses repetition to place emphasis on the deep emotion that evokes in Macduff when seeing his
gracious king in his most frail state. This indicates the grave loyalty shared by all of his people and
